Celebration of martyrdom day of Guru Arjun Dev ji in Liege Gurudwara,Belgium

PM asks Sikh community in Canada to remain united

On Board PM's Special Aircraft, Jun 29 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today asked the five lakh (rpt) five lakh strong Sikh community in Canada to remain united and not to allow the "divisive" politics of the Indian subcontinent to derail their cohesiveness.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : PTI News

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Manmohan Singh apologizes 'on behalf of government" for 1984 anti-Sikh disturbances

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Monday apologized 'on behalf of the Government of India' for the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, saying that it should have never happened.

Addressing a function organized by Punjabi Canadian lawmakers in Toronto, Dr. Singh said: "I promise you that after going back home I will set up some mechanism to deliberate on all these issues that have been raised here or that have been raised elsewhere in the Indo-Canadian communities."

"With regard to the events of 1984, these are horrible crimes. They should have never happened. I have on behalf of the Government of India apologized on behalf of the nation for what had happened in 1984," he added.

The Prime Minister further said that there are "visible weakness" in the country's judicial system.

"There are concerns that those who perpetrated these crimes must be brought to book, there are visible weakness in Indian judicial system, just as weakness in the Canadian legal system. We are trying to address those issues," Dr. Singh said.

"One cannot offer any compensation to those who have lost there near and dear one in these tragic circumstances, but our government in the first UPA opened up all cases of so-called compensation," he added.

He also said that the government is looking for more options to provide relief to the victims and their relatives.

"I don't see there can be adequate compensation at all, but we have opened up what more can be done to provide relief to the victims and their relatives, so that they can once again lead a life of dignity and self respect," Dr. Singh said.

"Communities and nation, it is futile on my part to say to forget past. The past is there, we cannot get away our past, but the challenge is how to move ahead in the world, which is increasingly globalised, which is increasingly becoming an integrated one world," he added.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : ONEINDIA

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People listen when Indian PM speaks: Obama

US President Barack Obama rated Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as an extraordinary world leader. He praised his knowledge of economic activities which could be service to the G-20 Summit. Obama’s statement assumes significance since the G-20 Summit was focused on finding a way out of the economic crisis.

President Obama and Dr Manmohan Singh held a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the G-20 summit.

“I want to express my pleasure having the opportunity to meet once again with my good friend, Prime Minister Singh. I said before and I continue to believe that the extraordinary leadership that Prime Minister Singh has provided not just to India, but to the world, has helped us navigate through some very difficult times” said the US President in his speech to mark the G-20 Summit.

“And I can tell you that here at the G-20, when the Prime Minister speaks, people listen, particularly because of his deep knowledge of economic issues, as well as the fact that he understands that as India rises as a world power, not just a regional power, that it also has enormous responsibilities to work with the rest of the world community around issues of peace and prosperity,” he added.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Tribune

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India reviewing blacklist of Sikhs abroad

India is reviewing the lists of Sikhs abroad who were blacklisted for their anti-Indian activities, Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao said Sunday.

Interacting with the media after the G-20 summit here, she said: 'The matter is under consideration of the government. We are aware of the issues raised by some people.'

'The ministry of external affairs has taken up the issue with the ministry of home affairs and the whole case is under review.'

Rao added that the government has also begun a series of meetings 'to look at the whole issue in depth'.

PLEASE READ THE DETAILED NEWS FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : SIFY

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Manmohan Singh says 1984 should never have happened

PTI

Toronto: The 1984 anti-Sikh riots should never have happened, a concerned prime minister Manmohan Singh said today but at the same time appealed to the Sikh community to "move on" to let the wounds of the tragedy heal.

Speaking to the community members here after paying homage to the victims of the 1985 Kanishka bombing at the Air India Memorial here, Singh reminded them that he had apologised to the nation for the carnage that ensued the assassination of the then prime minister Indira Gandhi.

"The 1984 anti-Skih riots should never have happened. I have apologised to the nation... all possible steps will be taken to provide succour and comfort," he said.

Singh, the first Sikh to ascend to the post of the prime minister of India, said "by constantly reminding of the 1984 riots, sometimes you unwittingly vitiate the creative thinking of the Sikh community".

"We need to move on," he said.

PLEASE READ THE DETAILED NEWS FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : DNA INDIA

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Canada toughens immigration laws

Amritsar, Punjab: Within hours of the G-20 Summit in Huntsville in Ontario, Canada virtually slammed its doors on prospective immigrants from India limiting their annual intake to 20,000 besides reducing the number of trades in the demand list.

Incidentally, announcement of the new immigration rules has coincided with the visit of Indian Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, to Canada.

Some of the new occupations included by Canada in its demand list are primary production managers (except agriculture), adjusters and claims examiners, biologists and related scientists, architects, dentists, pharmacists, social workers. Many of the existing trades have been omitted. The new rules that have become effective immediately require all federal skilled worker applicants to have experience in one of 29 in demand occupations or have a job offer to be eligible to apply for permanent residency (PR).

Moreover, Canada will now accept only 20,000 applications with a maximum of 1,000 applications per occupation for processing for those applying under the occupation list. The cap of 1,000 applications in each occupation has been introduced to manage the intake. For these applications, once the cap is reached, will be sent back and their processing fees will be refunded. But the applications with a job offer are not restricted to this 20,000 cap.

In addition, all Federal skilled worker and Canadian experience class applicants will now be required to send a complete and comprehensive file, including IELTS result to the Central Intake Unit (CIU) at the time of filing the application to promptly get into the processing queue.

After introduction of the new rules that limit annual global intake to 80,000, they push India from its second top immigrant source to seventh slot.

BS Sandhu, Chairman and Managing Director, WorldWide Immigration Consultancy Services Ltd. (WWICS), told The Tribune that “all cases filed on or before June 25 will not be affected by the changes. Pendency of cases filed in 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007 will now be cleared on top priority. Once the backlog is cleared, I anticipate the Canadian immigration intake will increase again making 1 per cent of the Canadian population. But clearing of this backlog of 3,80,000 applications may take another two-three years. People keen to immigrate to Canada will have some other options as well.”

“The federal investor immigrant programme has been suspended awaiting new changes in the eligibility criteria. Until the changes in network and investment are finalised, the Government will stop accepting new investor applications,” said BS Sandhu.

“In the past, 30,000 families used to immigrate to Canada under Skilled Worker Programme from India and India has been the second highest immigrant source country. But with the changed scenario, Australia will soon become the number one destination for Indians seeking immigration abroad,” he added.

With thanks : source : SIKHSANGAT

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Punjab teeters on edge of crisis as 70% fall into drug addiction

Excerpts :

The threat of drugs, he adds, is worse than two decades of Sikh terrorism that ravaged the province until the early 1990s, during which more than 60,000 people died, as it is far more insidious and cannot be rectified by policing. The ANTF says all of Punjab’s 20 districts, particularly border regions, are infested with drug peddlers selling opium and heroin smuggled from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Money from drug smuggling had, for decades, financed the civil war in Afghanistan and Pakistan’s adjoining tribal regions.

ANTF officials say a large proportion of the 500kg of heroin seized in the state last year was for local consumption, and the rest was destined for western markets. They stress that the seizures represent just a small proportion of the drugs making it through and being sold profitably.

“In rural Punjab, families often try to pass off a drug overdose death either as suicide or an overdose of prescriptive medicines for chronic ailments,” Meena says. The entire state seems to be in denial over its drug addiction and is unwilling to accept its severity, he declares.

Punjab’s grievous drug problem was revealed recently in a report by Guru Nanak University in Punjab’s largest city, Amritsar, which declared that some 73.5 per cent of the state’s youth between 16 and 35 years were confirmed drug addicts.

PLZ READ THE DETAILED ARTICLE FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : irishtimes

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Perks of a Sikh

Sikhs have been known for their jovial, “ulta – pulta” (topsy-turvy) approach to life. They joke and can be joked. You can trust a Sikh behind a wheel. For good food, what better than a “Sardar Da Dhaba”. On a serious note, most medals of bravery are pinned to the Sikh. They are making their mark in literature, sports, politics, science, finance and most other walks of life. The Sikh begs to be different and gets noticed.

These are the major perks of a lovable minority. The prime minister of a billion is giving a new dimension to the Sikh. The world’s largest democracy hinges on the perks of a Sikh. The turbaned Sikhs are a distinguished face in the crowd. Those friends, who chose to chop their hair in 1984, are now raising their hands to get counted. I am afraid; they have lost their perks, long ago.

PLEASE READ THE FULL ARTICLE FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : AllVoices : PIC At the Burj Khalifa 124rth floor Observatory

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BJP's Punjab unit seeks relief for Indians driven out of Pakistan

The Punjab unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has taken up the issue of Hindu and Sikh families which have been forced to settle in the State after being driven out of Pakistan.

According to a party release, the State unit set up a three-member committee under the chairmanship of Rajya Sabha member Avinash Rai Khanna to look into all aspects of the issue, including relief for such families who have taken shelter in the Punjab.

It would seek adequate security for the life and property of Hindus and Sikhs settled abroad.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : The Hindu

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PM asks Canada to curb Sikh militancy from its soil

Toronto, June 26 (PTI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said there are some elements "wedded to terrorism" outside India, including in Canada, who try to keep the issue of Sikh militancy alive and asked Ottawa to curb such anti-India activities from its soil.

"Sikh extremism, separatism and militancy were a problem in India more than two decades ago. Today, Punjab is at peace and there is growth and prosperity.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : PTI News

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Won’t review Sikh blacklist: Govt

Toronto, June 26

Tremendous pressure from the Sikh community notwithstanding, India today said it won’t review the ‘blacklist’ of radicals, who had taken political asylum in foreign countries, including Canada.

This assumes significance on the eve of two-day G-20 Summit, scheduled to begin here from tomorrow.

Immediately after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh — accompanied by his wife, Gursharn Kaur landed at Toronto, the spokesperson of the Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that there was no room for reviewing the blacklist of those who had indulged in anti-India activities, at least in the near future.

The Prime Minister Office (PMO) was under pressure from the Sikh community worldwide to allow the blacklisted persons to join the mainstream. President of Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC), Parmjit Singh Sarna had submitted a written request to the PMO that the representatives of the Sikhs should be invited by the PM in Toronto during his visit to find some solution to the longstanding demand of the community. The NRI Sikhs had also promised to suspend their proposed protest during Manmohan Singh’s visit if they were given time to discuss the matter. Around 100 blacklisted hardliners had taken political asylum in Canada, Germany, USA, UK and other countries. Some efforts were made to review the blacklist during the NDA government also.

The PM is unlikely to meet any representative of the hardliners due to his firm stand against international terrorism. Also, meeting radicals would send a wrong signal at this crucial juncture. Only two months ago, Manmohan Singh had conveyed his firm stand on the activities of separatist forces to his Canadian counterpart when they met in USA for 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, the PM would be paying a visit to the memorial for Kaniskha victims on June 28.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : Tribune

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Pakistan offers to set up corridor for Sikh pilgrims

Islamabad, June 26 (PTI) Pakistan has offered to set up a special corridor for Sikh pilgrims to visit the sacred Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, which lies only three kms from the international border, a senior official has said.

Pakistan is ready for talks with India to create such a special corridor for a safe passage for pilgrims, Syed Asif Hashmi, chief of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) that is responsible for maintaining the shrines of minority communities in Pakistan, told reporter at Hasanabdal yesterday.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : PTINEWS

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Youth Icon

Sukhwinder Singh’s animation feature is based on the life of Sikh martyr Bhai Taru Singh

Animation is an interesting medium, with the power to attract irrespective of age, class or gender. “And we’re using it to reconnect with our roots,” says Sukhwinder Singh, an IT professional turned animation filmmaker whose animation feature, Bhai Taru Singh, deals with one of Sikh history’s young martyrs who sacrificed his life for religion.

“We live in a time where technology is our religion and where the youth have forgotten their past. Four years ago, we entered this field to create awareness on this issue through cinema, internet and animation,” says Singh, the CEO of Vismaad Mediatech Pvt Ltd in Mohali. Along with his Singapore based partner Bakhtawar Singh, Sukhwinder will be screening Bhai Taru Singh at the Tagore Theatre on June 26 and 27.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Indian Express

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First 'official' gurdwara in Dubai

Coming up at a cost of $20 million, the Guru Nanak Darbar at Jebel Ali, Dubai, will be the first official Sikh gurdwara in the entire Gulf, catering to religious needs of a 50,000-strong Sikh community. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum, vice-president and prime minister of UAE and ruler of Dubai, who granted permission for building the gurdwara, has given 25,400 sq ft land free.

Surender Singh Kandhari, businessman and Captain of Emirates Golf Club in Dubai, had approached authorities with his dream project and though it took him some time to convince them about the concepts of sangat and langar, while even translating excerpts from the Guru Grant Sahib, it was approved.

"Sikhs don’t worship idols like in Islam and once authorities were convinced that setting up a gurdwara was not anti-Islamic, things quickly started falling in place. My dream is to make Guru Nanak Durbar the best, second only to the Golden Temple in Amritsar," adds Kandhari.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : Source : Times of India

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'Flying Sikh' Hoping To Hit Pay-dirt With New Car

KUALA LUMPUR, June 25 (Bernama) -- Former world production car rally champion, Karamjit Singh, also known as the 'Flying Sikh' hopes to revive his fortunes in the Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) with his new Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X.

The 'Flying Sikh' winner of the 2002 FIA Production Car World Championship for Drivers and 2002, 2004 FIA Asia Pacific Rally Championship, and numerous other rally titles, would be driving a RM700,000 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X in next year's Asia Pacific Rally Championship next year, courtesy of PENNZOIL, who sponsored the car.

Apart from international honours, Karamjit, 48, has won the Malaysian Rally Championship for 10 consecutive years with a number of co-drivers, Ron Teoh, Allen Oh, John Bennie and Jagdev Singh with his eight-year old Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V111, that has since suffered major repairs.

"Our former car, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII, is already eight years old and many of the parts needed to be repaired or replaced regularly, mainly the breaks and gear-box.

"Using an old car sometimes disrupts our preparations during races," Karamjit, Malaysia's professional race driver in rallying, who was part of the Petronas EON Racing Team and Team Proton Pert Malaysia team using Proton 4WD rally cars in the past, told Bernama when contacted Friday.

He added that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo V111 suffered a major breakdown during the first round of the Malaysian Rally Championship (MRC) during the second leg which was a distance of 589km at Ladang Tai Tak in Johor, two months ago.

Karamjit said he and his co-driver Jagdev were currently busy preparing themselves to compete in the second round of the Malaysian Rally Championship, a distance of 400km in Bahau, Negeri Sembilan, from July 17-18.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

With thanks : source : BERNAMA

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Gatka camp revives an ancient art

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SGPC Elections: Discrepancies in voter forms, Sikh bodies to meet PM

AMRITSAR: Various factions of Shiromani Akali Dal and other Sikh bodies joined hands to remove discrepancies in the voter forms for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) election.

The President, Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (DSGPC), Paramjit Singh Sarna,

said a two-member committee comprising former SGPC Secretary Manjit Singh Calcutta and Kanwarpal Singh of Dal Khalsa would submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in this regard.

He said certain terms in the forms were objectionable to the Sikh community and amounted to violation of the Sikh Rehat Maryada (code of conduct) and the Sikh Gurdwara Act.

Sarna reiterated that various Akali factions would unitedly contest the elections against the SAD (Badal).

The meeting held on Wednesday was attended by Various Akali parties, including the SAD (Longowal), SAD (Delhi), All-India Shiromani Akali Dal, Khalsa Action Committee (KAC), Dal Khalsa and SAD (Panch Pradhani).

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : PunjabNewsLine

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Keep away from Sikh religious matters, Badal tells Congress

IANS

June 24 (IANS) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal Thursday asked the Congress party not to interfere in the religious matters of the Sikhs with an eye to the forthcoming Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) general elections.

Addressing a public rally in this town in Patiala district, 110 km from Chandigarh, Badal said the Congress was trying to wrest control of the SGPC, the mini-parliament of Sikhs, through its 'B' team comprising of Delhi State Gurdwara Management Committee president (DSGMC) Paramjit Singh Sarna and Akali Dal-Amritsar president Simaranjit Singh Mann.

'It is not surprising but ironical that the Congress, which claims to be a secular party, is deliberately encroaching upon the jurisdiction of Sikh religious matters by indirectly lending support to Sarna and others in the SGPC elections,' he said.

Badal said the Congress party could not befool the people of Punjab, especially Sikhs, as successive Congress governments at the centre and in the state had betrayed the people of Punjab.

He charged the Congress government in neighbouring Haryana with trying to interfere in SGPC affairs by allowing the setting up of a separate SGPC for that state.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : sify

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l'll contest on all 170 SGPC seats: Sarna

AMRITSAR: The Shiromani Akali Dal (Delhi) will not hesitate to take support of Congress leaders and workers willing to help during the ensuing Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) elections. This was stated by Paramjit Singh Sarna, president of the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee here on Wednesday. Addressing a press conference, he said, “Our party is open to have an alliance with like-minded parties and religious groups.”

Sarna announced that his party would contest on all 170 seats of SGPC.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Times of India

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Punjabi varsity to prepare compendium on Banda Singh Bahadur

Punjabi University Vice-Chancellor Jaspal Singh announced to create comprehensive source material on the hallowed Sikh warrior and martyr, Banda Singh Bahadur.

The effort, he said, will constitute compiling of the entire available material related to his multi-faceted life in the form of a compendium. The university plans to prepare a documentary featuring various aspects of life and attainments of the great Sikh hero.

The Syndicate also appreciated the selection of 20 students of B.Tech. course in TV, Film Production and Media Technology of University’s Centre for Advanced Media Studies (CAMS). It was regarded as a rare achievement that the centre has accomplished in just about a year of its establishment.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : indian express

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Arson attack on Milton Keynes Sikh temple flag pole

A flag pole at a Sikh temple in Buckinghamshire has been set on fire.

The arson attack took place in Leadenhall, Milton Keynes, on Tuesday when two offenders set fire to the fabric-covered base of the flag pole.

The flames quickly went out and while the flag was not damaged the fabric around the pole will need replacing.

Acting Ch Insp Amanda Blake said: "The Sikh flag holds great significance... naturally the members of the temple and the local community are very upset."

"There is no evidence or indication that this incident was driven by racial or religious motivation," she added.

"We will be increasing patrols in the area to offer reassurance and send out a message that this behaviour will not be tolerated in Milton Keynes."

Police want to speak to a cyclist who went past the temple as the offenders ran from the scene.

With Thanks : source : BBC NEWS : Original link in headline above.

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Dr. (Mrs.) Gurdeep Kaur

Dr. (Mrs.) Gurdeep Kaur is an Associate Professor, in the Department of Political Science, Sri Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa College,University of Delhi, Dev Nagar,Delhi,India. She has done her PH.D from Dept. of Political Science, Univ. of Delhi, with title of Thesis , The Concept of State in Sikhism with Special Reference to Guru Granth Sahib. Currently She is Visiting Professor in the Faculty of Theology, Katholieke University,Leuven, Belgium.

She already has three popular books to her credit. Out of which two books on Sikhism are Political Ideas of the Sikh Gurus and Political Ethics of Guru Granth Sahib.

Her Recent Publications/Papers/Conferences include : 'State in Sikhism’; 'Khalsa, political Implications', with Sunita Puri in Encyclopedia of Hinduism 1999, Univ. of South Carolina;, 'Contribution of Sanskrit to Sikh Scripture; The Nature of Maharaja Ranjit Singh's Kingdom; Relevance of Sikh Scriptures in the present context', presented at World Punjabi Conference,United Kingdom, London, 'Environment and Sikhism' , ‘Welfare State Perspective in Sikhism’ In XIXth IPSA ,World Congress, Durban, South Africa, Women in Sikhism’, 'Ethics in Religious Scriptures & its Contemporary Relevance 'presented at International Conf. 'Parliament of the World Religions', Barcelona, Spain, 'Sikhism & Ecological Balance' in the International Conf. on Interdisciplinary Theological Perspective on Ecology & Economy in Limerick,Ireland,'Sikhism :Interreligious Witness and Religious Pluralism'in the International Conf. "From World Mission to Inter religious Witness:Visioning Ecumenics in the 21st Century" in Dublin,Ireland.

She also Participated as Delegate in the ‘9th World Punjabi Conference’ at Lahore Pakistan, January30-February 1,2004. She also gave a Seminar on 'Successful Conflict Resolution:The Sikhs in India in the 1980s' in the Leuven Centre for Global Governance Studies in Katholieke University,Leuven, Belgium in April 2010.

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Include peace corridor in Indo-Pak talks: Sikhs

CHANDIGARH: Ahead of secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan, the global Sikh community has now raised the long pending issue of Kartarpur Sahib corridor, with the hope that this religious and emotional issue would act as a balm to soothe sore relations between the two nations.

While the demand for a corridor to the historical Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib — which is located barely 1.5km inside the Pakistan territory from the Indian border near Dera Baba Nanak — has been a long pending one with various Sikh organizations appealing to the two countries from time to time, the United Sikh Mission (USM), a California based NGO, recently approached Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi to raise the issue with the neighbouring country in the coming days.

“We have received a very encouraging response from both Rahul Gandhi and the Prime Minister, and it seems that the Sikh community’s ardent wish may finally come true now,” Rashpal Singh Dhindsa, USM chairman, told TOI from California. Naming the project as a ‘peace corridor’, thereby giving an emotional hue to the issue, he added, “The one (corridor) which would bring lasting peace between the two countries.”

“It would be great if the issue is taken up during the upcoming secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan as it would bring remarkable results, especially since the solution to the problem is at hand and very doable,” said Punjab MLA Jassi Khangura, who was an NRI from UK till recently — before he shifted to India and contested elections successfully. “All it requires is a reasonable amount of will power on both the sides,” added Jassi, who receives similar requests from Sikhs in UK and elsewhere during his frequent visits abroad.

The gurdwara holds a special place in the heart of Sikhs as it was here that the first Sikh master, Guru Nanak Dev, spent his last years. While Hindus and Muslims then had built their respective shrines at the place, a gurdwara was constructed later by the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Times of India

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Sikh's turban ban not racism: New Zealand club

Members of a New Zealand club which denied a Sikh man's entry because he was wearing a turban say the issue has nothing to do with racism and they are ready to defend their rules in court.

The Sikh Council of New Zealand is seeking action from Human Rights Commission against the south Auckland's Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club after volunteer worker Karnail Singh was barred entry because his turban breached its no-headwear policy.

The issue was not one of racism, said Con Linton, a member since the late 1960s. He said the 3,500-member club has members belonging to different culture including Asian, Iraqi, Pacific Island, Pakeha and Maori.

"You could possibly stereotype us and say we are rednecks with people who do not like turbans but that would be democracy at its worst. Where it (the headwear policy) originated I don't know but people have never found it hard to conform with - until lately," he said.

Several club members said that it "has access to barristers and solicitors like anyone else" and will fight any moves to enforce changes, The New Zealand Herald reported.

"To me it would appear the feeling is quite clear that we are a private club with its own rules much like many other clubs throughout the country," said Peter Kelly, a member for 43 years.

"But if there is an enforcement on this particular issue on the Manurewa Cossie club, it surely will have repercussions on other clubs and some of their rules in general. "I think we would fight - why wouldn't we ?"

Kelly, 75, said the turban issue was raised at the club's annual meeting on last Sunday, where only five of the 304 people voted to amend the policy of excluding religious headwear.

"I daresay that if I went down to the Sikh temple I would take my shoes off ... that is one of their conditions I believe, so if it is I would just comply," he was quoted as saying. "All we are saying is just comply with the rules of the cossie club."

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Hindustan times

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A Sikh Face in Ireland

An Exhibition at Chester Beatty Library,Dublin Castle,Ireland exploring the Sikh presence on the island of Ireland
This exhibition is produced and supported by the Forum on Migration and Communication(FOMACS).It includes photographic portraits and life stories of Sikhs,an animated film on the wearing of the Sikh turban,and a photographic and sound installation featuring contemporary Sikh muscians.(www.fomacs.org)

Sikh group asks US lawmakers to stop racial profiling

Washington, Jun 18 (PTI) American Sikh community leaders have complained US lawmakers that they were experiencing racial profiling, mostly during travel, after 9/11 and the trend has increased of late.

"It's not fair. It's not safe," complained Amarjeet Singh, programme director of advocacy group Sikh Coalition, in his testimony before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Asking them to intervene to end their ordeal, the Sikh leaders have urged the US lawmakers to take immediate steps to end this profiling.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : PTI News

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Gold walls for Bangla Sahib Gurdwara ?

New Delhi, India: If all goes according to the plan, the main prayer hall of the historic Bangla Sahib Gurdwara in the Capital will soon shine with yellow metal.

Around 125 kg of gold, costing nearly Rs 23.75 crore (as per the current market rate) will be required for the ambitious project.

The gold will be crafted in form of fixed-sized plates, which would be finally joined together and will adorn the walls of the religious place that is very close to Delhi’s commercial hub, Connaught Place.

The first lot of 30 kg of gold was handed over by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to Baba Harbans Singh – who has launched a kar seva (voluntary service) to make the project a reality – on Friday.

DSGMC chief Paramjit Singh Sarna says the work will be completed in around 18 months and will be done in phases to ensure that devotees are not put to any discomfort.

The gold plates will be fixed at a height of six feet from the ground to prevent any damage to them. The entire inside portion of the main hall would be covered by gold. The outer portion of the dome of the gurdwara is already gold-plated.

The move has, however, sparked off a debate, with critics saying that the money required for the project could have been spent on education of community children and other welfare works.

“It is a sheer waste of resources that can be used to uplift the condition of riot victims,” said Jarnail Singh, author of the now famous book on the 1984 anti-Sikh riots “I Accuse..”.

Sarna’s rival in politics and the head of the Delhi unit of the Shiromani Akali Dal, Manjit Singh GK, says the wise move would have been to educate the community kids with the donation. But Sarna is unfazed. Lashing out at Manjit, he said: “He is jealous of the good work done by us for the Sikh community.” Cost, says Sarna, is not an issue.

Some portion of the gold has been donated by managing bodies of various schools runs by the DSGMC in Delhi.

The community members are making donations, he added.

In the past, the DSGMC had gifted a golden “palki” to Gurdwara Nankana Sahib in Pakistan which is currently sitting in a store house.

With thanks : sikhsangat

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New Zealand Sikhs challenge club's turban ban

IANS

Wellington: The Sikh Council of New Zealand announced on Thursday it would take legal action against an Auckland club that will not admit turban-wearing Sikhs to its premises because it bans all forms of headwear.

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club voted to confirm the "no hats" policy on Sunday six months after prominent local Sikh Karnail Singh was refused entry to a function in his honour because of his turban.

The club premises had been hired for a private function to honour his work as a volunteer visitor to the elderly, a town ambassador and community gardener.

After Sunday's vote, one club member told the New Zealand Herald, "Many felt that once you change the rules to let in people who wear turbans, then the next thing is that we will also have to let people who wear hoodies and balaclavas into the premises."

The Sikh Council's secretary Verpal Singh said it would seek legal assistance from the Human Rights Commission for a court ruling that the ban infringed on the Human Rights Act.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

with thanks : source : IBN Live

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Vegetables injected with chemicals to increase size

Ferozepur, Punjab: The residents of the border district, who have witnessed destruction and uprooting time and again due to flooding of the Sutlej and Indo-Pak wars, face a challenge to their lives once again and this time it is from chemically infested vegetables.

Consumption of such vegetables, which are being grown in various parts of the district, has made the residents’ lives worse.

The menace connected with the injection of various chemicals into vegetables, which cause deformities and cancer in human beings, came to light in a number of villages of the district where the growers have been injecting Oxytocin into vegetables and fruits to get more yield and bigger size.

KK Yadav, Deputy Commissioner, ordered a probe after coming to know about this problem. He said he had asked the district health authorities to inquire into the matter. “We have been injecting chemicals in the plants during the growth of vegetables so that vegetables and fruits could give a fresh and attractive look to the customers,” said Taranjeet Singh (name changed), a vegetable grower, on condition of anonymity and not disclosing the name of his village.

“People want to buy fresh-looking vegetables, hence we use this method as we find it expensive to use fertilisers to increase the fertility of soil,” said Mokham Singh, another vegetable grower.

These growers have also been using other harmful chemicals apart from Oxytocin. The packets of some of the chemicals, which were being used by them, did not carry any wrapper on which the brand name or details of contents were written.

with thanks : sikhsangat.org

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Gatka camp at Krishna nagar, Delhi - pics 1

Gatka camp at Krishna nagar, Delhi - pics 2

Gatka camp at Krishna nagar, Delhi - pics 3

Gatka camp at Krishna nagar, Delhi - pics 4

405th martyrdom day of Sikh Guru Shri Arjun Dev ji being observed today

The 405th martyrdom day of the fifth Sikh Guru, Shri Arjun Dev ji is being observed today with great devotion. It was on this day in 1606 AD that the Guru ji was tortured to death at Lahore in Pakistan during the reign of Mugal Emperor Jahangir.

The contributions of Shri Guru Arjun Dev ji included the reediting and compilation of the present Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and the construction of the holiest of the holy places, Shri Harminder Sahib ji in Amritsar.

SikhsIndia

Flung my shoe to protest PC’s remarks: Jarnail

CHENNAI: Jarnail Singh, the scribe who flung his shoe at Union Home Minister P Chidambaram for his remarks on anti-Sikh riots was welcomed like a hero by the Sikh community here on Sunday.

Jarnail released his book I Accuse on anti-Sikh riots.

Admirers of Jarnail from the Sikh community, who gathered in large numbers for a signed copy of the book reflected similar anguish and dissatisfaction over justice being delayed in anti-Sikh riots.

“This is what my shoe throwing act has done to me”, says Jarnail, pointing to the crowd waiting to talk to him. “The younger generations of Sikh community are getting aware of the injustice that had been meted out to their ancestors. I have been able to keep the demand for justice alive with my act. I am proud of its output. Only regret is that I lost my position as a journalist”, he said in a chat with Express after the book release.

“My act was only a symbol of anguish and protest as an individual against delayed justice by the State. It was not a personal attack on Chidambaram,” says the journalist-turned-author. “Though Chidambaram is a sensible leader who minces no words, he failed to respect the sentiments of the Sikh community at the press meet. Even while an entire community was denied justice for more than two decades, Chidambaram was expressing joy over the clean chit given to Congress leader Jagdish Tytler,” he recalled his act.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

With thanks : source : expressbuzz

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Pak Rangers to protect 300 Indian Sikhs

Paramilitary Pakistan Rangers have been deployed to protect about 300 Indian Sikhs who will participate in the Jore Mela at Gurdwara Dera Sahib in Lahore.

The Indian Sikhs, who arrived in Pakistan over the past few days, have travelled to Gurdawa Punja Sahib at Hasanabdal near Rawalpindi.

They will reach Lahore on Monday to take part in the three-day festival.

"Keeping in view the law and order situation, we have deployed Pakistan Rangers and police for the security of the visiting yatris," Syed Asif Hashmi, chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board that organises such pilgrimages, told PTI.

After the recent attack on the minority Ahmedi community in Lahore that left 95 people dead, the government has beefed up security at all places of worship of minority communities.

"We have not only taken measures for the security of Sikh and Hindu pilgrims from abroad but also enhanced security for locals," Hashmi said.

No leniency could be afforded in this matter, he said.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Hindustan Times

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SGPC voter forms have caste column

JALANDHAR: A few days after SGPC chief Avtar Singh Makkar exhorted Sikhs not to mention their caste during the census as the same was against Sikh ideology, it has come to light that voter forms published for SGPC elections have a column for specifying whether a person belongs to any scheduled caste.

Meanwhile, conditions prescribed in the forms for voters are being termed incomplete by Sikh leaders, who are holding that some crucial lacunae have been left out, which could be exploited by vested interests who do not completely follow the definition of a “Sikh” as mentioned in Sikh Rehat Maryada.

The voter form published by the Gurdwara Election Commission says at the end that a voter from scheduled castes should specifically mention whether he is an SC as prescribed by Article 341 of the Constitution.

“This is against Sikh principles and is not required at all,” said Manjit Singh Calcutta, former secretary general of SGPC, who has written to chief commissioner, gurdwara elections, seeking clarifications on these issues. “Any enumeration on the basis of caste is taboo in the Sikh panth. The rights of the weaker and backward sections of society are completely protected in the Sikh Gurdwara Act by provision of reserved seats. Any enumeration of votes on the basis of Manu’s caste system is anathema in the Sikh religion,” he said, demanding withdrawal of voter forms that were violative of Sikh ideology.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : Times of India

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Cossie club votes to keep ban on turbans

A Cosmopolitan Club embroiled in controversy after barring a turban-wearing community leader from its premises has voted not to change its entry rules about headwear.

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club's annual general meeting yesterday voted to keep the club's headwear policy - which bans entry to all people with headgear, including those wearing it for religious reasons.

The Herald understands from club members at the meeting that the rules were relaxed to allow headgear that is worn for "health reasons", such as a bandage or a bandanna used by a cancer patient.

Club manager Patricia Rangi did not want to comment yesterday, but said through a spokesman that the club would issue a statement today.

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club, in Manukau City, faced strong criticism from the Sikh community last year after it banned leader Karnail Singh from entering to attend a function held in his honour.

The matter was taken to the Human Rights Commission in January, and the parties agreed at mediation that, depending on the outcome of yesterday's meeting, the issue could go back to the commission.

DETAILED NEWS CAN BE VIEWED FROM THE LINK IN HEADLINE ABOVE.

With thanks : source : NZHERALD

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Shabad Kirtan (Asaa Bhi Othe Janha)

Pak Sikhs demand visa-free travel to India

Patiala (Punjab), Jun 11 (PTI) Sikh families from Pakistan today appealed to the Indian government to facilitate a visa-free travel to India for pilgrimage and higher studies for their wards.

A 136-member contingent of Sikhs from Peshawar is on a pilgrimage to India which today visited Gurdwara Dukhniwarn Sahib here.

"We want a visa-free zone between India and Pakistan that will facilitate normal visits to India. It will also help build more confidence between the two countries," Leader of the group, Wazir Singh told PTI.

"We got visas after five months for the current visit.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : PTI

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Murdered Indian woman and daughter in New Zealand farewelled in same coffin

Murdered 32-year-old Indian woman Ravneet Sangha and her 18-month-old daughter Anna were farewelled cradling each other in the same coffin at Pyes Pa Crematorium chapel in Tauranga, New Zealand, on Friday.

More than 500 people attended the funeral, and were overwhelmed with grief at their premature deaths.

Ravneet was found dead in a house in Otumoetai, a Tauranga suburb, on Sunday evening, while Anna's body was found on Tuesday afternoon- almost 20 hours later - as it had been concealed in the house.

The family of Dev Sangha, Ravneet's husband and Anna's father, said that he was inconsolable at the service.

Dev had been holidaying in India when he was informed about her death and, initially, the disappearance of their daughter Anna.

Politicians, taxi drivers and workers from the local orchards joined members of the Sikh community to support Dev.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : Sify

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SGPC displays rare historic treasure in Golden Temple

Amritsar, June 11 (ANI): The Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) displayed rare items dating back to the fifteenth to eighteenth century inside the sanctum sanctorum of the Golden Temple to mark the Guru Gaddi Nashini of Guru Hargobind, the sixth spiritual master of the Sikhs.Thousands of devotees thronged the Golden Temple to have a glimpse of these rare invaluable historical items.All the valuable articles belonging to the Golden Temple were kept for display in the “Toshakhana” (treasury) on the first floor of ‘Darshani Deori’ (entrance gate to golden temple).

The display of rare items, called as Jlau, has its own pristine grandeur. ‘JLAU’ literally means a rare glitter that fazes the eyes on its first sight. The Toshakhana is attached by four golden doors. One door has artistic work of flowers, while the remaining three depict different aspects from the lives of the Great Sikh Gurus.

The doors were presented by Maharaja Ranjit Singh.It was said each gold door was made at a cost Rs.3000.

There is one Canopy of gold weighing twenty pounds. On top of the canopy, a peacock having its neck made of pure Sapphire in a single piece is sitting. According to the estimates of a jeweller, only this piece of Sapphire costs sround four million rupees.The stone is without any blemish. In the eyes of peacock there are diamonds. Overall, this canopy is studded with 3600 diamond stones and 101 big pearls. Just under it, there is a diamonds headband with strings of pearls. Jewelers of Lahore prepared this headband on the occasion of marriage of Maharaja Ranjit Singh’s first son Naunihal Singh.

Impressed by its art and the beauty, Maharaja presented this band as offerings to Golden Temple. Its cost came around Rs nine lakhs at that time.

Apart from this, there is one sword of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Its hilt is of pure gold studded with pearls and emeralds. The showcase lying in the Toshakhana is displaying five spades having silver handles and gold blades.

In 1973, the Punjab and Sind Bank presented the temple with one golden spade and five silver bowls. At that time Sant Kundan Singh from Jagron presented the temple with one silver spade, one sword with silver hilt and Sikh emblem of gold with silver stand.

According to SGPC, there are five necklaces, one small Canopy and one ring with a Sapphire in middle and eight diamonds around, which were presented by Princess Bamba granddaughter of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, daughter of PrinceDaleep Singh.

Besides, there are also jewels in the Toshakhana from the house of General Dhana Singh Malwai, a General in the army of Maharaja Ranjit Singh.In the early nineties, an American Sikh, who came here to pay obeisance presented a pearl necklace of three strings and three diamonds.

Detailed news can be viewed from the link in headline above.

with thanks : source : ANI & ThaIndian

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